As a former licensed psychotherapist (LCSW), Detective working with sex crimes for a major city Police Department, Investigator for a Juvenile Court, Professor, etc., I am even more leery than most, about the alleged reasons why these books are banned. In effect, to me, it is to keep young people ignorant, and unable to protect themselves from supposedly "upstanding" adults. I have seen too many children sold by their parents...kept in sexual slavery..., or purposefully made addicts so they can provide their parents with an income. Usually girls, but boys as well.
Too many young girls raped by men who were supposed to be "older" and "wiser".
I 've also seen children punished horribly for their innocent sexual curiosity with a person of their own age, another child, which labeled and ruined them for life. I could go on, but won't.
When people are allowed to read what they want, they can explore topics and actions safely. There are still probably instances where young girls don't learn about their periods until the blood is running down their legs and they think they are dying. Look how long we had to wait for the book Our Bodies Our Selves? And, as I understand it, that critical book is banned in a number of libraries!
Growing up, I also knew people who also had their concentration camp number tattoos on their arms. I read The Diary of Anne Frank as soon as it was published and shared it with my Jewish neighbors. And, I knew people who were in iron lungs from polio. Restricting knowledge of natural events and social constructions are about power, possession, and control. Thanks for letting me share.
Keep up the great work covering your passion, Vic.
(Mary) Joan Koerper, Ph.D. former, LCSW in CA for 29 years, Writer
Thanks, Joan. Many good points. I agree that reading is a safe exploration of difficult topics! Just saw that the staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services has been put on administrative leave. Ugh.
Thank you for another insightful post! I'm with you, I would not want AI for a teacher.
And good points about banning books. On the other hand, teens will read banned books - even if otherwise they wouldn't. Banning books actually brings them to their attention; and they will find the books on their own, if not in libraries or book stores, in a friend's personal library or in some forgotten used book store ... and they will enjoy the extra "naughtiness" of reading these books... it's who teens are... just trying to find the silver lining here, or how book banning could "backfire"
I think the top banned books do get a boast, but it’s a small number of the over 4K that have been banned in various districts in the US. One of the arguments I’ve been making here, based on my experience working in Title I schools (majority poverty), is that for many of those kids, the school library is their only source for books.
Unfortunately I know you are right, I didn't consider it, while trying to find something "positive". I am familiar with Title I schools, and I agree with you on this. Those are the kids who need school libraries the most, and they are the ones who would benefit the most from reading many of the banned books, especially those that deal with problems they face more often... Thanks for the reminder - and for all your work highlighting these books.
Excellent review and analysis, again, Vic.
As a former licensed psychotherapist (LCSW), Detective working with sex crimes for a major city Police Department, Investigator for a Juvenile Court, Professor, etc., I am even more leery than most, about the alleged reasons why these books are banned. In effect, to me, it is to keep young people ignorant, and unable to protect themselves from supposedly "upstanding" adults. I have seen too many children sold by their parents...kept in sexual slavery..., or purposefully made addicts so they can provide their parents with an income. Usually girls, but boys as well.
Too many young girls raped by men who were supposed to be "older" and "wiser".
I 've also seen children punished horribly for their innocent sexual curiosity with a person of their own age, another child, which labeled and ruined them for life. I could go on, but won't.
When people are allowed to read what they want, they can explore topics and actions safely. There are still probably instances where young girls don't learn about their periods until the blood is running down their legs and they think they are dying. Look how long we had to wait for the book Our Bodies Our Selves? And, as I understand it, that critical book is banned in a number of libraries!
Growing up, I also knew people who also had their concentration camp number tattoos on their arms. I read The Diary of Anne Frank as soon as it was published and shared it with my Jewish neighbors. And, I knew people who were in iron lungs from polio. Restricting knowledge of natural events and social constructions are about power, possession, and control. Thanks for letting me share.
Keep up the great work covering your passion, Vic.
(Mary) Joan Koerper, Ph.D. former, LCSW in CA for 29 years, Writer
Thanks, Joan. Many good points. I agree that reading is a safe exploration of difficult topics! Just saw that the staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services has been put on administrative leave. Ugh.
Thank you for another insightful post! I'm with you, I would not want AI for a teacher.
And good points about banning books. On the other hand, teens will read banned books - even if otherwise they wouldn't. Banning books actually brings them to their attention; and they will find the books on their own, if not in libraries or book stores, in a friend's personal library or in some forgotten used book store ... and they will enjoy the extra "naughtiness" of reading these books... it's who teens are... just trying to find the silver lining here, or how book banning could "backfire"
I think the top banned books do get a boast, but it’s a small number of the over 4K that have been banned in various districts in the US. One of the arguments I’ve been making here, based on my experience working in Title I schools (majority poverty), is that for many of those kids, the school library is their only source for books.
‘Boost’
Unfortunately I know you are right, I didn't consider it, while trying to find something "positive". I am familiar with Title I schools, and I agree with you on this. Those are the kids who need school libraries the most, and they are the ones who would benefit the most from reading many of the banned books, especially those that deal with problems they face more often... Thanks for the reminder - and for all your work highlighting these books.
Thanks for reading!
Always insightful and well said, Victoria!
Thanks!
Another great analysis with insightful commentaries.
I especially liked hearing Ellen Hopkins's own words--another intelligent refutation of book banning.
Thank you for reading. The emails and enters to author really do show the difference their work makes for kids/teens/students.
Now I want to read “Crank”. The AI review of “Mein Kampf” was depressing.
Depressing, indeed. AI is not so much intelligence as it is compilation.
Love your posts Victoria. I really learn a lot from each one. AI, ugh. So the print in Mein Kampf was easy to read? Haha. Anyway, you are appreciated.
Thanks for being a consistent reader!